fingerprint
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fingerprint
The unique pattern of lines at the tip of a finger, or the print that this pattern leaves on a surface. It is used to identify people.
Die Polizei konnte am Tatort einen klaren Fingerabdruck des Täters sichern.
The police were able to secure a clear fingerprint of the perpetrator at the crime scene.
fingerprint
In a figurative sense, a characteristic, unmistakable feature or personal style that marks a person or their work.
Der Regisseur hat mit diesem Film seinen künstlerischen Fingerabdruck hinterlassen.
With this film, the director left his artistic fingerprint.
The word is made up of 'Finger' (finger) and 'Abdruck' (print/impression). So it literally describes the print that a finger leaves behind.
Moderne Smartphones lassen sich per Fingerabdruck entsperren.
Modern smartphones can be unlocked by fingerprint.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about forensics, police, or biometric data, the literal print is meant. If people are talking about art, style, or a person's influence, the figurative meaning is meant.
Die Polizei fand am Fenster einen Fingerabdruck.
The police found a fingerprint on the window.
In police or administrative contexts, a fingerprint is 'genommen' (taken), 'abgegeben' (provided), or 'gesichert' (secured/collected). A person can 'hinterlassen' (leave) a fingerprint.
Für den neuen Reisepass musste ich meine Fingerabdrücke abgeben.
For the new passport, I had to provide my fingerprints.
In the figurative meaning, the fixed expression 'seinen (persönlichen/künstlerischen) Fingerabdruck hinterlassen' (to leave one's personal/artistic fingerprint) is almost always used.
Mit ihrem sozialen Engagement hat sie in der Stadt ihren Fingerabdruck hinterlassen.
Through her social engagement, she left her fingerprint on the city.
handwriting / manuscript
Handschrift and Fingerabdruck can both refer figuratively to an artist’s personal style. Handschrift focuses especially on the characteristic way the artist shapes their work. Fingerabdruck emphasizes more strongly that the artist’s personal imprint is unique and unmistakable.
Der ungewöhnliche Film trägt den unverwechselbaren Fingerabdruck der Regisseurin.
The unusual film bears the director’s unmistakable fingerprint.
Die ruhigen Bilder und langen Szenen zeigen deutlich die Handschrift der Regisseurin.
The quiet images and long scenes clearly show the director’s signature style.
